Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[IamSamSam]

Hey now!!! 

They are pretty darn good photos  so I shall let that slide LOL

Lol.

 

[Anniebee]

hi and welcome, mine love any scraps i give them, but i make up a mash of scrambled eggs shells and all, mashed banana, creamed corn,rice,porridge, scratch mix, layer pellets ground up, youghurt, they gobble it all up...you can pretty much give them anything except Potato, avocado, tomato, rhubarb and any off/mouldy foods

My girls get 3 times a week a mash of cooked rice and vegies, mixed with a handful of bran, handful of rolled oats, scratch mix, crumble, and scrambled egg, plus some scissored broccoli heads, which when cut like that become tiny bits of green. ( or I add some finely cut up silver beet ). They go mad for it. Other than that, they get a few scraps from the kitchen, but am careful about what I give them to tear into. Often put the core and green leaves of a fresh cauliflower into a 'net' made out of bird netting, and tied to the their fence .... they demolish that in no time. Other than that they free range ( ruining parts of the garden - so that's limited ) ... and of course have their layer pellets and water. Summer they get water melon and yoghurt, which they adore. I never let them near tomato plants which are fenced off with wire ... the leaves ( I believe ) can be toxic. Good luck ......

Cheers.... AB

 

[Anniebee]

I don't have much to offer on your BR, we had a laying bird come to our place and never laid an egg, but she was older, and as we later found out had some health issues.

Our RIR didn't lay until she was past 24 weeks, our Australorp was a little earlier, but not much. Our earliest to lay was an Araucana at 19 weeks, and Light Sussex was not far behind at about 22 weeks.

Just need to watch for the indicators, and (much like I struggled with) be patient. Not sure if you know what you are looking for but in case you are not sure. Indicators include, burst in comb and wattle sizes, squatting (with wings out) spreading of the pelvis, 'low and wide' body stance (heavy breeds) hanging out at the nest boxes and the 'egg song' all start to happen in the week or two before the first egg.

Bens Hens is right. Patience is the thing - my chooks laid quite late as well - around 24 - 25 weeks. The first to lay was my RIR at about 22 weeks.

As for the poop. My Welsummer has been doing that kind of thing for many many months, particularly when first let out in the mornings. An enormous amount of soft stool with a lot of watery stuff ( sometimes bluish in colour ), and occasionally pretty much just water ( yet I have been told chickens do not actually pee ! ) .... She is well, a very large bird, lays an egg almost every day, her comb is lovely and red, and she's experiencing a long slow moult, which has been going for a few months now. She has laid right through our winter ( Victoria ) and the moult. I might add, the place where she sleeps which is actually a nesting box which is not used for laying ( they make their own nest on the floor by kicking all the straw out ) .... always has normal formed woopsies in it every morning, from her overnight droppings. Not sure if it is excitement at being let out, or if she hangs on so's she doesn't soil the coop. Asked on another thread, and someone suggested that she might need more food - but I have to be careful about that, as she's big enough as it is, and I certainly don't want her to get fat - that can cause all kinds of problems. Keep an eye on them, and if one seems a little 'off' have her looked at by a vet. Meantime, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Cheers ......... AB

 

[Fancychooklady]

Guyssss none of my chickens are laying   well except one of the silkies.. My RIR is 23 weeks I've had her for 2 months now i thought hopefully something but no!.. The plymouth too she's around 1 year old and has been with me for over 3 weeks and very much at home annnnd i get nadda from her, Wilma my Australorp is 20 weeks old hoping she'll give me something in a few weeks she's my fav.

PS: one of my chickens seems to being poop where its like water but with small pieces of food (sorry very descriptive) what does it mean? I cant work out who it is yet no one is acting any different.

Sydney, your eggs won't be far away, and the poop thing will be a combination of meds and the hot weather. Nothing to worry about.

 

[satay]

Just got my first egg!
Am feeling pretty happy I must say.....

Yah grats Sara

 

[satay]

Oh and I thought I'd share .

Love it

 

[satay]

I got 17 eggs today, I'm so stoked!!!!

Grats Luke

 

[satay]

We had the day from hell here yesterday. I got stung on the leg by a wasp. I am allergic to wasps so have a big red swollen leg today. Just on dark we see flames down the back of our place. Lucky hubby was home early. The neighbour behind us some one had set fire to their place. Thankfully the rural firies were quick on the scene so it did not spread to any of our properties. Then at 9pm found a paralysis tick on thor. Freaked out and rang the vet as he was showing no signs of illness they told me to monitor him and bring him in if he showed signs. So far he is looking good no signs of illness. I have all the tick prevention stuff for my boys so shows even with that you need to still be vigilant with your checking. Was glad to have yesterday over.

 

[smallbluejellybean]

Can't wait to check tomorrow if there is another one! Are this one - hard boiled.

DE- LIC-IOUS!

I went out this morning at the same time Pepper laid her first egg yesterday and no egg yet. . It seemed like a long watch for the first egg and now the watch out for the second egg has begun.Let me know if you got another one Sara.

 

[Fancychooklady]

We had the day from hell here yesterday. I got stung on the leg by a wasp. I am allergic to wasps so have a big red swollen leg today. Just on dark we see flames down the back of our place. Lucky hubby was home early. The neighbour behind us some one had set fire to their place. Thankfully the rural firies were quick on the scene so it did not spread to any of our properties. Then at 9pm found a paralysis tick on thor. Freaked out and rang the vet as he was showing no signs of illness they told me to monitor him and bring him in if he showed signs. So far he is looking good no signs of illness. I have all the tick prevention stuff for my boys so shows even with that you need to still be vigilant with your checking. Was glad to have yesterday over.

Hope you have a better day today

Tea tree oil on the wasp bite and use a cotton ear bud , dipped in the oil also and wipe it on the ticks back. It will make him let go without emitting toxins into the host.
When we had tick problems on our dogs, I started washing them with Martha Gardeners wool wash. The eucalyptus kept them away.